"
"Hycy Burke," repeated Clinton, starting with surprise, "do you tell me
so?"
"Sartinly," replied the other, "why do you ask?"
Clinton shook his head carelessly. "Well," he said, "I am glad of it; it
is better late than never. Hycy Burke"--he paused and looked serious a
moment,--"yes," he added, "I am glad of it. Go now and follow my advice,
and you will have at least a chance of succeeding, and perhaps of
defeating your enemies, that is, if you have any."
The pressure of time rendered energy and activity necessary in the case
of Bryan; and, accordingly, about eight o'clock next morning, he was
seeking permission to speak to the man against whom he and his family
had always conscientiously voted--because he had been opposed to the
spirit and principles of their religion.
Major Vanston heard his case with patience, inquired more minutely into
the circumstances, asked where Ahadarra was, the name of his landlord,
and such other circumstance as were calculated to make the case clear.
"Pray, who drew up this memorial?" he asked.
"Mr. Hycy Burke, sir," replied Bryan.
"Ah, indeed," said he, glancing with a singular meaning at M'Mahon.
"You and Burke are intimate then?"
"Why, we are, sir," replied Bryan, "on very good terms."
"And now--Mr.'Burke has obliged you, I suppose, because you have obliged
him?"
"Well, I don't know that he has obliged me much," said Bryan, "but I
know that I have obliged him a good deal.
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